In the nation’s 250th year, we turn an eye to Americans who challenged power, took risks, and made our country greater.

In many ways, Paine was a fiercer supporter of democracy than many of the more celebrated Founding Fathers, whose mistrust of the “common people” led them to put limits on voting rights and popular ...

On the verge of a potential governing trifecta, state party leaders have hopscotched from candidate to candidate in the governor’s race, trying to stop democratic socialist Francesca Hong.

Cut through the noise of daily news with in-depth, progressive analysis.

Thor Benson is an independent journalist who has contributed to The American Prospect, Wired, Rolling Stone, and many other publications. He’s currently based in Chicago. Cut through the noise of ...